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Monthly Archives: January 2014

it seems this last year we suffered quite a few losses in the loved animals and animal rescue world. most notably animal rescuer Diana Ketcham who i posted a previous tribute too. (you can find it here https://planetkitty1.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/diana-ketcham-in-memorium/ )

it would seem that the new years is starting out on a sad note as well. i just learned of the passing of Colonel Meow, and this followed so recently by Tc Persian as well. these two boys were HUGE personalities, for me anyways, in the famed cat and cat lovers arena. their faces alone tremendous entertainment in and of themselves. i am truly heartbroken to hear of their passing, and know that the what’s on the other side is only made better now by there presence.

Colonel Meow

TC Persian

their personalities remind me of my own boy i lost just January of last year, Eli, who was also the mascot of Planet Kitty. i think he would have liked both the Colonel and Tc. I can imagine them now on the other side, sitting all together around a table, smoking catnip cigars, playing kitty poker and sharing tales of their many adventures with one another.

Eli

i’m sure there are also many others out there who feel the same about these two very special kitties. good bye boys! we will most certainly cherish the memories!! and may those memories bring comfort to your families. nemaste!

first i would like to say a big fat THANK YOU to all who donated to help Ashley. i couldn’t have gotten her the help without you!

now the somewhat disappointing news. Ashley’s recovery seems to be not the smoothest of recoveries. an odor has returned to her mouth, altho not nearly what it used to be, and i caught her drooling like crazy again just a few minutes ago. i had seen some previous signs of drooling, albeit nothing like what i’ve found now.

Ashley drooling

i don’t know if this is considered normal after a 14 year old cat has had the majority of her teeth pulled, while still healing, of if this is a sign of some problems still stirring inside her mouth. she’s eating ok and other than this acting ok, but it all has me very concerned.

i put in a call to the vet, and am waiting to hear back. i’m so frustrated for her. i wanted this to end her suffering but it doesn’t look like it’s going to be that simple. unless i’m just wrong and this is all normal. the vet did want to follow up and see her in about a week or so from the initial procedure, but i may be taking her in sooner like later today or tomorrow.

today was not a very fun day for miss Ashley Rose. we got her to the vet where she was given a shot for the severe inflamation in her mouth and throat, blood was taken to check and see if she’d be ok for surgery and antibiotics were prescribed in order to clear up some of the infection as well prior to surgery.

the vet said it was was one of the worst cases of stomatitis he’d seen. Ashley’s mouth and throat are so sore and infected, it took 2 people for him to even be able to get any kind of a glimpse into her mouth: one to hold her paws to reduce the chance of being ripped to shreds by her claws, and the other to get her mouth open. the pain she’s been in as of recent, is excruciating.

if you’ve ever had a bad open sore, or canker sore, in your mouth, imagine that pain and multiply it by about a 100. then on top of it, throw in infection that most likely is dripping into your stomach, making your stomach feel queasy to say the least. then imagine trying to eat anything via that sore passage, while dealing with pain, nausea then even more nausea on top of it; a side effect of the pain. yeah. pretty nasty. pretty awful.

Ashley is very stoic tho, as is the case with alot of animals when they feel sick and miserable.

we came home and she retreated to a resting spot to sleep. she has taken her medication, mixed with a small slew of warm wet food, and then retreated to sleep again. i was relieved at being able to get it down her. she’s STILL sleeping. another thing cats, and other animals do when they are in pain: sleep.

Ashley is scheduled for surgery, first thing monday morning. the dr says that the removal of her teeth will provide great relief and healing.

i can’t say how extremely grateful i am to everyone that has donated to the chip in or made a purchase from the sale i have going on at the moment as well to help raise funds.

we are getting closer and closer to the fundraising goal. we are currently sitting at $227 and the goal is $350. the link is here:

once again, then you so much for helping me get my baby the help she needs during this trying time. in no way could it have be possibly achieved without your help! because of all this, i see the light at the end of the tunnel and the improved quality of life that Ashley will have once she’s well! thank you!!!!!

if you look closely in this pic, you can see some of the crusting on Ashley’s mouth. this occurs due to her drooling and limited ability to clean herself due to the pain and discomfort of her mouth.

Ashley my 14 year old resident here at Planet Kitty is in severe decline. she is now just barely eating, and i put in call to my vet about her status and we are looking at possibly doing surgery tomorrow, but i need everyone’s help!

Ashley has a very severe case of stomatitis which is where, for some unknown reason, a cat’s immune system begins to overact to the bacteria in their mouth and the result is severe open sores all over the cats mouth and even down into their throat. the disease can even lead to other problems for a cat because with the open sores usually comes secondary infections. Ashley has been surviving with the issue for some time, but it’s recently has really coming to a head with the final result of her today just barely eating.

usually, despite her painful state, Ashley will come and get me when she wants to be fed; and she normally does this on a regular basis twice a day. she is no longer doing this. i have been having to go find her and put the food in front of her and then she usually eats. today not so. today she gave her wet mashed food a look and then walked away. i finally managed to get a tiny bit into her a little bit ago, but with cats and not eating, especially at her age, the situation can very quickly become dire and so now she’s on very close monitoring while i wait to hear something back from the vets.

the timing couldn’t be worse with them out of town and not returning until tomorrow, and if i have to, i will rush her to the Emergency vets but with the previous experience with them of holding the animal hostage for payment, and knowing that payment will be grossly overblown compared to the $350 estimate my vet gave, i am just praying that things will work out to get her in tomorrow.

i have set up a chip-in to raise funds for Ashley’s surgery.

beginning of December, my lovely (NOT) employer decided to lay me off and i have been waiting for unemployment to get my filing straightened out and to receive payment. i spoke with them, unemployment, earlier this week and they are estimating at least another two weeks before i get any answers. the situation is further complicated by the fact that the current filing is a reopening of what i had initially opened with a past position from back in january of last year, and after the 11 of january, i’m going to have to file a new claim and that could take another 4-6 weeks before i receive any payment.

i don’t care to do urgent fundraising for my own animals. i prefer to use this tool only when it comes to fosters in my care or other animals that i’m assisting with, and even then, i try to at least sell jewelry that i make and such to help with the costs. Ashley’s situation is dire tho, and i really need help!

you can use the chipin link following or you can also call the clinic where Ashley is going to be treated in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and make a donation directly to them in her name. The name of the clinic is all dogs & cats, and their phone number is 970 945 6762. Thank you for any help you can give.